The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-02-17

flames belched out OF crevices In the
sides OF the crater. and the sea within
radius of mile of the island was
dyed crimson by the constantly falling
showers OF dust and ashes. Without
stopping to investigate further. Capt
Hague steercd his vessel Off and the
next day arrived at Oonalaska. Here
a comparison of notes resulted in at
tributing the occurrences which have
been above related 10 the upheaval of
what is now known as New Bogosloff.
While on the subject of volcanoes,
it may be of interest TO relate an in
stance of volcanic disturbance which
occurred in the vicinity of the Chou
magin islands during the last year.
About Aug. u the inhabitants of Unga,
a small settlement on an island just
south of the Alaska peninsula, after
enjoying unusually fine weather for L
week. were startled by the appearance
Of a huge black cloud in the heavens to
the northwest of them and by the sound
of heavy thunder. Shortly afterward
the air became oppressive and dense
cloud of fine dust swept over the island,
covering everything to Il depth of near
" an inch. This shower of ashes con-
tinued the greater portion of the day,
and when it cleared away the people at
Unga could see that Mount Pabloif. a
long-extcnt volcano situated on the
mainland to the northwest of them, had
again fired up and was doing active
business at the old stand.
To one who has had the opportunity
of observing the peculiariles of the diff
ferent classes of people geneally styled
Indians in the various portions OF the
United States and Alaska the native in
habtants of the Aleuitan islands must
always be an absorSia and interesting
study. From their earliest traditions
it appears that the settlement of fhr Al
eutian islands was made from the west
ward. There are fragments of misty
tales still eXtant among the Aleuts of
bloody fights between themselves and
strangers whom they encountered in
their gradual march from the west to-
ward the east. But these conflicts were
not of long duration, and ended in
the Alcuts either driving their enc
mics before them or else in the ter
limitation of hostilities when sufficient
territory was acquired on which to live.
1t is a strange fact, and one which adj
vocates of an eastern migration find it
hard 10 contradict, that while the Ian.
guage and legends of the aborgines
from Stika to point Barrow are similar
in striking degree, those of the Aleuts
are entirely different. The character
istic features of the Aleut are high
cheek bones, fiat nose, low forehead,
and large expressive eyes. Their com.
plexion is usually much lighter than
that of the natives of the mainland and
one often sees, especially among the
'er Aleuts, the peculiar mongoloid
,es, which would argue western
origin.
Touching the subject of early migra-
tons, Charles w. Brooks, Japanese
consul at San Francisco, some years
ago prepared record Of some fifty or
sixty vessels which had at various times
been blown of the coast of Japan and
stranded on the Aleutian islands or the
coast OF America by the influence OF
the Kuro-Shiwo, or japanese current.
1t is but natural to suppose that some
of them must have been stranded on
the Aleutian island in the distant past
and that their crews formed the nucleus
of what is now considered q separate
nation. IL is a well-known fact that
the natives Of the islands of Attou and
Atkha, of the Aleuuan group, have
been enabled to converse with ship
wrecked men from Japanese vessels
stranded on these islands, even at
recent date. When white men first
visited the Aleutian islands the natives
were found living in small settlements
scattered along from Attou TO Kodiac.
Their habitations were primitive affairs.
built partly underground, with walls
and roof made of driftwood and the
whole structure covered with thick sod.
Usually there was but one entrance to
the abode, and that was so small that
il was necessary TO stoop low to reach